JPH0981718A - Method and device for plotting - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the method and device for plotting which enables a user to balance composition and coloring with each other when electronically plotting through interactive operation. SOLUTION: A weight value calculating means calculates the weight values of respective elements in a drawing and a weight value storage means stores the calculation results while making them correspond to the elements in the drawing. After the weight values of all the elements are obtained, a balance point calculating means calculates the geometric balance point of the weight value of all the elements from the arrangement of the elements in the drawing and the stored weight values. After the balance point is calculated, a layout automatic altering means detects the deviation from a target point of a geometric balance point given by the user through a target setting means and automatically alters the layout of the elements in the drawing so that the geometric balance point meets the target point. After the balance point is calculated, the layout of elements other than the elements that the user has altered is automatically altered so that when the user alters the layout through a user altering means, the geometric balance point returns to the position of the calculation result right before the alteration.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drawing device for electronically drawing by interactive operation, such as a word processor capable of handling graphics.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has become common for end users to draw electronically using a graphical user interface in a word processor or the like. Also, due to the spread of computer systems including color scanners and color printers, not only graphic designers but also
An environment is being created in which even general users can create color drawings. Since color drawings are more appealing than black and white, there is a great need for users to easily create beautiful and easy-to-understand drawings for proposals and presentations to customers. In the conventional technique for electronic drawing by interactive operation such as a word processor and graphic software, a user generates a drawing element such as a straight line, a polygon or an ellipse and arranges it on a two-dimensional plane. A diagram is created by repeating. When generating the elements of the figure, the user determines the shape and color of the elements. When arranging the elements, consider the shape and color of each generated element,
Determine their position. In order to create beautiful and easy-to-understand drawings, it is important that the composition and color scheme are well balanced. However, in the conventional technique, the burden on the general user for balancing the composition and the color arrangement is large.

In the prior art, when a user creates and arranges a new element, if the positional relationship and color tone with the previously created element are inappropriate, the shape of the element including the previously created element The user has to re-set the colors and layout appropriately. If you change the shape, color, or arrangement of one element, the overall composition and color scheme will change. The user must decide the shape, color and arrangement of all the elements in consideration of this. For general users who are not graphic designers, it is difficult to have a finished image before operation, so it is necessary to determine the shape, color, and arrangement of the elements by actually changing and checking by trial and error. If you are creating a diagram while summarizing your thoughts,
This is a heavy burden because the elements in the figure are added and deleted and rearranged frequently. For example, in making a proposal or an OHP sheet for presentation, it is necessary to work out what to appeal. When the system based on the conventional technique is used for this purpose, it takes a lot of man-hours to balance the composition and the color arrangement.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when the user electronically draws by interactive operation, the user can easily balance the composition and the color arrangement. It is an object of the present invention to provide a drawing method and device capable of performing the above.

[0005]

According to the drawing method of the present invention (claim 1), a step of obtaining a weight value for each graphic element based on the area of the graphic element and the density of the graphic element, and for a plurality of graphic elements A step of obtaining a geometrical first equilibrium point of a plurality of graphic elements from the weight value obtained in the step of obtaining the weight value and a position where the graphic element is arranged, and a second equilibrium point which is a target is determined. And a step of obtaining a difference between the first balance point and the second balance point, a step of selecting one, and at least one of the plurality of graphic elements so as to cancel the obtained difference. Changing at least one of the area, the density, and the position where the graphic elements are arranged so that the equilibrium points of the plurality of graphic elements coincide with the second equilibrium points. It is characterized in. Note that the density of a graphic element is an amount that represents the degree of the visual effect of the graphic element on humans, and for example, a function such as lightness, hue, or saturation, or the degree of density of a texture pattern can be used as the density. it can.

A drawing apparatus (claim 3) of the present invention for carrying out the method stores a graphic element, an area of the graphic element, a density of the graphic element, and a position where the graphic element is arranged. An element data holding unit, a weight value calculating means for obtaining a weight value for each figure element based on the area of the figure element and the color of the figure element held in the figure element data holding section,
An equilibrium point calculation means for obtaining a geometrical first equilibrium point of a plurality of graphic elements from weight values for the plurality of graphic elements obtained by the weight value calculation means and positions where the graphic elements are arranged, and a target first Target determining means for determining two balance points, difference calculating means for calculating a difference between the first balance point and the second balance point, a graphic element selecting means for selecting one, and the difference calculating means. At least one of the area, density, and position of at least one graphic element of the plurality of graphic elements is changed so as to cancel the difference obtained by And a graphic element changing unit that matches the two balance points.

Further, the drawing method (claim 2) of the present invention is
The step of obtaining the weight value for each figure element based on the interview of the figure element and the density of the figure element, and the weight value obtained by the step of obtaining the weight value for a plurality of figure elements and the position where the figure element is arranged Determining a geometric first equilibrium point of the plurality of graphic elements from, and the area of at least one graphic element of the plurality of graphic elements,
Inputting a change in at least one of arrangement and density, and determining a second balance point after making the change for the plurality of graphic elements,
Determining a difference between the first balance point and the second balance point, and selecting the area of at least one graphic element of the plurality of graphic elements so as to cancel the calculated difference. , At least one of the density and the arranged position is changed to match the balance point of the plurality of graphic elements with the first balance point.

A drawing apparatus of the present invention (claim 4) for carrying out the method stores a graphic element, an area of the graphic element, a density of the graphic element, and a position where the graphic element is arranged. The element data holding section, a weight value calculating means for obtaining a weight value for each figure element based on the area of the figure elements and the density of the figure elements held in the figure element data holding section, and the weight value calculating means First balance point calculation means for obtaining a geometric first balance point of the plurality of graphic elements from the weight values for the plurality of graphic elements and the positions where the graphic elements are arranged; and among the plurality of graphic elements, A user changing unit for inputting at least one change of at least one of the area, arrangement, and density of the graphic element, and the second after changing the plurality of graphic elements.
Second balance point calculation means for obtaining the balance point of the above, and difference calculation means for obtaining a difference between the first balance point and the second balance point, and a plurality of the plurality of means for canceling the obtained difference. At least one of the area, density, and position of at least one graphic element of the graphic elements is changed to match the balance points of the plurality of graphic elements with the first balance points. And having.

[0009]

According to the present invention (claim 3), the weight value calculating means calculates the weight values of the respective elements in the figure, and after the weight values of all the elements are obtained, the first balance point calculating means The geometrical equilibrium point (first equilibrium point) of the weight values of all the elements is calculated from the arrangement of the elements and the calculated weight value. After the calculation of the first equilibrium point, the difference calculating means detects the difference between the geometrical equilibrium point designated by the user by the goal determining means or the default point (second equilibrium point), and the difference. To automatically change the layout of the elements in the figure so that the first geometrical equilibrium point matches the target point. In this way, by specifying the target point on the screen, the system will automatically change the arrangement / shape / color scheme of the drawing elements so that the target point is the center of the balance. It is possible to significantly reduce the burden on the user of taking

According to the present invention (claim 4), the weight value calculating means calculates the weight values of the respective elements in the figure, and after the weight values of all the elements are obtained, the balance point calculating means causes the element of the figure to be changed. A first balance point of the weight values of all the elements is calculated from the arrangement of the above and the obtained weight values. When the user changes the layout by the user changing means after the calculation of the balance point, the second balance point calculating means calculates a new balance point due to the layout change, that is, a second balance point. The difference calculating means calculates a difference between the first balance point and the second balance point. At least one of the area, density, and arrangement of elements other than the element changed by the user to the extent that the difference is canceled so that the second balance point returns to the position of the first balance point, the graphic element changing means. Change one automatically. As described above, according to the present invention, when the user changes the arrangement / shape / color arrangement of a certain element, the system arranges the arrangement / shape / shape of the elements of the drawing so that the composition and the color arrangement up to that point are not lost. Since the color arrangement is automatically changed, the burden on the user for balancing the composition and the color arrangement can be greatly reduced.

[0011]

EXAMPLE FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an example. As shown in the drawing, the drawing apparatus of this embodiment is configured such that the element data holding unit 10
1, element data changing unit 102, element template holding unit 103,
An element generation instruction unit 104, an element layout instruction unit 105,
An element deletion instruction unit 106, a weight calculation unit 107, an element-weight correspondence table holding unit 108, a balance point coordinate value calculation unit 109,
Balance point coordinate value holding unit 110, target coordinate instruction unit 11
1, a change method instruction unit 112, a shift calculation unit 113, a layout change amount calculation unit 114, a screen display unit 115, a diagram printing unit 116, and a processing control unit 117. This drawing device can realize each functional unit by a computer and a program. Element layout instruction section 1
05, the element data holding unit 101, the element model holding unit 103, the element-weight correspondence table holding unit 108, and the equilibrium point coordinate value holding unit 110 are stored in a RAM, a disk, or the like. Further, each of the other processing units is realized by reading a program stored in a storage unit such as a ROM and executing the program by the CPU. The role of each functional unit will be described below.
List features in bullet style for clarity.

(1) Element data holding unit It has a function of holding information about the shape, color and arrangement of each element in the drawing. In this embodiment, the attribute data relating to the elements in the figure is held in a table format. The table associates pairs of attributes and attribute values. One table is created for each element. An ID for uniquely identifying each table is assigned to each table.

Each attribute will be described below. The attributes are "position""color""shape""text""displayorder"
There is. The attribute "position" indicates the position of the element on the two-dimensional plane. The element is arranged on the plane so that the geometric center point (corresponding to the position of the center of gravity) of this element coincides with the position. As the attribute value, a coordinate value composed of binary non-negative integer values is taken. The unit of the numerical value is the point used in printing. The coordinate value (0,0) indicates the lower left corner point of the screen or the printable area. The first element of the coordinate values indicates the rightward direction, and the second element indicates the upward position. The attribute "color" indicates the color of the element. As the attribute value, the value of the color of the element is represented by L * a * b * which is a scale defined by the International Lighting Society.
The attribute “shape” indicates the shape of the element. As the attribute value, PostScript (US Ad
ob Systems Incorporated (registered trademark), and takes a value that describes the shape of the element. The attribute “text” is text indicating what the element represents, and indicates what is drawn inside the element. The attribute value is a value in which the text of the element is described in PostScript of the page description language. The attribute “display order” indicates the order in which the element is displayed. In this embodiment, since the drawing is performed by overwriting, when the elements are overlapped, the one in the later display order is seen in the foreground. A unique positive value is used as the attribute value.

(2) Element data changing unit 102 The element data changing unit 102 has a function of changing the information held by the element data holding unit 101 in response to a command from another functional unit. Further, it has a function of sending a screen rewriting command to the screen display unit after performing the changing process when receiving the command to change.

The generation of the elements in the figure, that is, the generation of a new table is performed by a command sent from the element generation instructing unit 104 described later. When this command is received, a new table is first created in the element data holding unit 101, and then a value is assigned to each attribute value of that table. Since the attributes "color", "shape", and "text" are passed as arguments of the command, their values are substituted in the table as attribute values. For the attribute "position", (144, 144) is used as an attribute value as a default. The attribute "display order" is the attribute value of the table held in this functional part, and the largest value at that time is checked as the attribute value.
Attribute value.

The arrangement of the elements in the figure is performed by a position change command sent from an element layout instructing section 105 described later. First, the element whose layout is to be changed is specified.
This is the element having the largest value of the attribute “display order” among the elements in the figure including the coordinate values of the movement source passed as the argument of the command. If the element can be specified, the value of the attribute "position" of the element is replaced with the coordinate value of the movement destination passed as an argument. Also, PostScri as an argument
If a pt program is passed, substitute it in the table as the value of the attribute "text". As will be described later, a color change command and a shape change command are also sent from the element layout instruction section. Also in this case, the element is specified similarly to the position change command, but the changed attributes are the attribute “color” and the attribute “shape”, respectively.

Deletion of elements in the figure, that is, deletion of a table held in a certain element data holding unit 101 is performed by an instruction sent from an element deletion instructing unit 106 described later. Among the elements in the figure including the coordinate value passed as the argument of the command, the element having the largest value of the attribute “display order” is selected and the table is deleted.

(4) Element template holding unit 103 The element template holding unit 103 has values relating to the attributes "color" and "shape" of an element, which is a template of the element of each figure. Regarding the color, it has a table consisting of a set in which the values of L * a * b * and the words (red, blue, etc.) representing the color are associated with each other.
As for the “shape”, there is a table composed of a set in which the PostScript program and the words (square, ellipse, etc.) indicated by the shape are associated with each other. Here, the words indicated by the colors and shapes are added to make it intuitively easy to understand when presented to the user.

(5) Element generation instructing section 104 The element generation instructing section 104 receives an instruction from the user regarding the generation of a new element, generates an element of a new figure by using the element template holding section 103, and It has a function of storing the data in the element data holding unit 101 via the data changing unit 102. It also has the function of accepting text input. The user's instruction is performed by selecting the words indicating the color and the shape from the table held by the element template holding unit 103 for the attributes “color” and “shape” of the element. At this time, by further inputting text, the text can be the one represented by the element of the newly created figure, that is, the text displayed inside the element. After the selection is made, the element generation instructing unit 104 sends an instruction to the element data changing unit 102 to create a new table. The following is passed to the element data changing unit 102 as an argument of this instruction. ◎ L * a * b * value associated with the word representing the color selected by the user. (It becomes the value of the attribute "color".) A PostScript program associated with a word representing the shape selected by the user. (It becomes the value of the attribute "shape") ◎ The font / number of lines / line spacing is set so that the entered text is inside the area occupied by the PostScript program that represents the shape as much as possible on the display. PostScript program for drawing rendered text.
(It becomes the value of the attribute "text")

(5) Element layout instructing section 105 The element layout instructing section 105 has a function of changing the layout of the elements in the drawing in response to a user's instruction regarding the change of the element layout. It also has the function of accepting text input. The user's instruction is layout change, color change, shape change, or text input. In the case of changing the arrangement, first, the graphic element of the movement source is selected. When the user selects a point on the screen, the element displayed in the foreground among the elements of the figure including this point becomes the target of movement. Next, the point on the screen to be moved to is selected. After these selections have been made, an arrangement change command is sent to the element data change unit 102. The following is passed to the element data changing unit 102 as the argument of this command. ◎ The coordinate value of the initially selected point on the screen. (Indicates the source of movement) ◎ Coordinate value of a point on the screen selected later. (Indicates the destination)

In the case of color change, first, the change target is selected. The selection method is the same as the above-mentioned selection of the movement source. Next, the word representing the color is selected from the table held by the element template holding unit 103. After making these selections, the element layout instructing unit 105 sends a color changing command to the element data changing unit 102. The arguments for this command are: ◎ Coordinate value of the selected point on the screen. (Indicates change target) ◎ L associated with the word representing the color selected by the user
The value of * a * b *. (It becomes the value of the attribute "color")

In the case of changing the shape, first, the change target is selected. The selection method is the same as the above-mentioned selection of the movement source. Next, the word representing the shape is selected from the table held by the element template holding unit 103. After making these selections, the element layout instructing unit 105
A shape change command is sent to the element data change unit 102. The arguments for this command are: ◎ Coordinate value of the selected point on the screen. (Indicates change target) ◎ PostScript program associated with a word representing the shape selected by the user. (It becomes the value of the attribute "shape")

In the case of text input, first, a change target is selected. The selection method is the same as the above-mentioned selection of the movement source. Next, when the text is input, the input text can be set as the value of the attribute “text” of the drawing element to be changed. The arguments of the text input command are as follows. ◎ Coordinate value of the selected point on the screen. (Indicates the change target) ◎ The entered text is as much as the above PostS.
PostScript for drawing the input text in which the font / number of lines / line spacing is set so that the script program is inside the area occupied by the display.
program. (It becomes the value of the attribute "text")

(6) Element deletion instructing section 106 The element deletion instructing section 106 has a function of receiving an instruction from the user regarding element deletion and deleting the elements of the drawing arranged at arbitrary coordinates. The user's instruction is given by selecting a point on the screen. Among the elements of the figure that include this point, the element displayed in the foreground is the deletion target. After the user's instruction, the deletion command is sent to the element data changing unit 102 with the coordinate value of the selected point on the screen as an argument.

(7) Weight Calculation Unit 107 The weight calculation unit 107 has a function of calculating the weight values of the elements in the figure. In this embodiment, the weight value of an element is given by ◎ Weight value = element area value × element density value Element density value = 1 ÷ color brightness value Here, the unit of the element area value is a square point, and the color brightness value is the L * value of L * a * b *. Saturation may be used instead of the color lightness value. The weight calculation unit 107 calculates the element area value from the value of the attribute “shape” for each element held in the element data holding unit 101, and calculates the element density value from the value of the attribute “color”. calculate. Then, the result obtained by integrating the element area value and the element density value together with the ID of the element data holding unit 101 indicating the element is
The weight correspondence table holding unit 108 is informed.

(8) Element-Weight Correspondence Table Holding Unit 108 The element-weight correspondence table holding unit 108 has a function of holding information in which the elements in the figure are associated with the weight values of the elements.
In this embodiment, this function holds information in one table. The table has two columns, the first column is the element of the figure and the second column is the weight value. Therefore, each row shows the correspondence between the elements in the figure and the weight value. The value in the first column is the ID of the table held in the element data holding unit 101. The value of the second column is the result of calculating the weight value of the element shown in the first column of the row by the weight calculating unit 107.

(9) Balance point coordinate value calculation unit 109 The balance point coordinate value calculation unit 109 has a function of calculating the position of the balance point on the screen. The calculation of the coordinate value of the equilibrium point is performed by calculating the vector. The position vector of the graphic element i (the vector from the coordinate origin to the position coordinate of the element) is v _i , the weight value of the element is m _i , and the position vector v _balance of the _balance point is given as follows ( See FIG. 2). v _balance = (1 / M) × Σm _i v _i M = Σm _i This balance point coordinate value calculation unit 109 uses the information held in the element data holding unit 101 and the element-weight correspondence table holding unit 108. The above calculation is performed, and the result is transmitted to the balance point coordinate value holding unit 110.

(10) Balance Point Coordinate Value Holding Unit 110 The balance point coordinate value holding unit 110 has a function of holding the result calculated by the balance point coordinate value calculating unit 109. It also has a function of holding the coordinates of the target point of the equilibrium point.

(11) Target Coordinate Designating Unit 111 The target coordinate designating unit 111 allows the user to select a point on the screen,
It has the function of making that point the target point of the equilibrium point. Also, calculate the coordinate value of the selected point on the screen,
Balance point coordinate value holding unit 11 using the coordinate values as target values
Tell 0. The default target coordinates may be determined without the user's designation.

(12) Change Method Instructing Unit 112 The change method instructing unit 112 has a function that allows the user to instruct On / Off of the operation of the automatic layout changing function of the system. Also, regarding the automatic layout change,
The user has a function of instructing whether to change the layout so that the equilibrium point coincides with the target point or to change the layout so as to maintain the current equilibrium point.
In addition, the system has a function that allows the user to specify what may be changed in the layout of the elements in the drawing, that is, which color / shape / arrangement of the elements may be changed. It also holds the instructed result.

(13) Deviation Calculating Section 113 The deviation calculating section 113 calculates, from the current balance point and the target point,
It has a function to calculate the moment to cancel the deviation.
The moment becomes a value obtained by multiplying the weight value M obtained by adding all the weights of the elements by the position vector v _dif . Here, the position vector v _dif is the position vector of the balance point v
It is obtained by calculating the following formula with _balance and the position vector of the target value as v _goal . v _dif = v _goal -v _balance

(14) Layout change amount calculation unit 114 The layout change amount calculation unit 114 includes a change method instruction unit 11
From the user's instruction by 2 and the calculation result of the shift calculation unit 113, the distribution of the moment for canceling the shift is determined, the change amount of the attribute value of the element is determined from this determination, and the change is transmitted to the element data change unit 102. With function. The operation procedure of the functional unit 114 will be described below.

[Step 1] Change method instructing section 112
If the change method stored in is to maintain the balance point, do the following. First, the balance point coordinate value holding unit 1
The value of the target point held by 10 is set as the equilibrium point held by the functional unit 110 (that is, the equilibrium point immediately before the layout change such as the change of the graphic element by the user or the deletion of the graphic element). Next, the balance point coordinate calculation unit 109 is caused to calculate the current balance point. And
The calculation result is held in the balance point coordinate value holding unit 110.

[Step 2] The shift calculation unit 113 is caused to calculate the moment, and the layout change amount calculation unit 114 stores the weight value M and the position vector v _dif as the results.

[Step 3] Select one of the following cases A to F according to the layout of the elements in the figure which may be changed, stored in the change method designating section 112, and perform the processing. .

Case A) Arrangement First, one of the elements shown in the figure is selected. When the weight value of the element is m _e and the position vector is v _e , a new position vector v _new of the element is calculated by the following formula (see FIG. 3). _{v new = v e + (M} / m e) v dif

Case B) Color Case First, one of the elements shown in the figure is selected. Next, the weight value m _plus to be added to the graphic element is calculated. m _plus is the following expression when the position vector of the element is v _e , the magnitudes of v _e and v _dif are | v _e |, | v _dif |, and the angle formed by v _e and v _dif is θ. Is calculated (see FIG. 4). m _plus = (M × | v _dif |) / (| ve _e | cos θ) The weight value of the element of the selected figure is m _e , and the area of this element is a _e
Then, the L * value L _new of the new color of this element is calculated by the following formula. L _new = a _e / (m _e + m _plus ) After the above calculation is completed, the following values are substituted into the stored M and v _dif . M = m _plus v _dif = ((| ve _e | cos θ) / | v _dif |) v _dif −v
_e (see FIG. 4) This v _dif indicates the deviation from the balance point that remains after the color arrangement of the above elements is changed. So | v _dif
In order to make | close to 0, the same process as above is performed for the other elements, and the color is repeated. That is,
The calculation up to this point is appropriately selected and repeated until | v _dif | becomes zero.

Case C) Shape In the same manner as case B, one of the elements in the figure is selected and the weight value m _plus to be added to it is calculated. The weight value of the selected figure element is m _e , and the L * value of the color of this element is L _e
Then, the new area a _new of this element is calculated by the following formula. a _new = (m _e + m _plus ) L _e After completion of this calculation, M and v _dif are changed as in case B. Then, the calculation up to this point is appropriately selected and repeated until | v _dif | becomes zero.

Case D) Arrangement and Color First, one of the elements in the figure is selected. When the weight value of the element is m _e , the L * value of the color is L _e , and the position vector is v _e , the new position vector v _{new of the} element and the L * value L _new of the _new color are given by Calculate with. v _new = v _e + (M / (2 × m _e )) v _dif L _new = L _e / 2

Case E) Arrangement and Shape First, one of the elements shown in the figure is selected. When the weight value of the element is m _e , the area is a _e , and the position vector is v _e ,
The new position vector v _new of the element and the new area a
Calculate _new with the following formula. v _new = v _e + (M / (2 × m _e )) v _dif a _new = 2 × a _e

Case F) Arrangement, Color and Shape First, one of the elements shown in the figure is selected. When the weight value of the element is m _e , the L * value of the color is L _e , the area is a _e , and the position vector is v _e , a new position vector v _{new of the} element is given.
And L * value L _new of the new color and a _new area a _new are calculated by the following formula. v _new = v _e + (M / (4 × m _e )) v _dif L _new = L _e / 2 a _new = 2 × a _e

[Step 4] The element data changing unit 102 is used to change the position, color or shape of the element so as to have the position vector, the L * value or the area value, which is the result calculated in Step 3.

(15) Screen Display Unit 115 The screen display unit 115 interprets the element data held in the element data holding unit 101 by a screen rewriting command, converts it into an RGB raster image, and displays the converted image. With the function to display. Further, it has a function of drawing the equilibrium point on the screen corresponding to the coordinate value held in the equilibrium point coordinate value holding unit 110. Furthermore, the screen display unit 11
Reference numeral 5 has a function of displaying a cursor interlocking with a pointing device on the screen and enabling an operation of directly selecting a coordinate point or a diagram element at the time of the above-mentioned various instructions / selections. When drawing the elements in the figure, the elements with the smallest value of the attribute "display order" are sequentially overwritten. In addition, the coordinate value (0,
Draw so that the position 0) is in the lower left corner of the screen. When an element has a value in the attribute "text", it is first drawn according to the attributes "color" and "shape", and then the text is drawn by overwriting based on the value of the attribute "text".

(16) Diagram printing unit 116 The diagram printing unit 116 interprets the element data held in the element data holding unit 101 according to a user's instruction, and CMY
It has a function of converting to a K raster image and printing the converted image on a paper / OHP sheet. When drawing the elements in the figure, the elements with the smallest value of the attribute "display order" are sequentially overwritten. Further, it is drawn so that the position of the coordinate value (0, 0) is in the lower left corner of the printable area of the paper / OHP sheet. If an element has a value in the attribute "text",
First, the drawing is performed according to the attributes “color” and “shape”, and then the text is overwritten based on the value of the attribute “text”.

(17) Processing control section 117 The processing control section 117 has a function of controlling the flow of the entire processing. It also has the function of receiving user instructions for starting and ending the entire system. Further, the processing control unit 117 sequentially allocates the instruction input acceptance time to each functional unit that can issue a user instruction. When there is an input from the user in the functional unit to which time has been allocated, the allocation to other functional units is suspended until the processing according to the request is completed. FIG. 5 shows the flow of processing in the embodiment. The flow of this processing is integrated and executed by the processing control unit 117.
The flow of this processing will be described below. [Step S1] The process control unit 117 monitors whether or not the end control is instructed by the user, and when the end control is instructed, the process is ended. When the end control is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S2. [Step S2] The element generation instructing unit 104 checks whether or not the user has instructed to generate the elements in the drawing. [Step S3] When the user instructs the generation of the elements in the figure, new element data is generated using the data in the element template holding unit 103, and the element data changing unit 102 is generated.
The data is stored in the element data holding unit 101 via. [Step S4] The element deletion instructing unit 106 checks whether or not the user has instructed deletion by designating an element in the drawing. [Step S5] When the deletion is instructed, the element data corresponding to the designated element is deleted. That is, the element deletion instructing unit 106 sends a deletion instruction of the designated element to the element data changing unit 102, and the element data changing unit 102 deletes the corresponding element in the element data holding unit 101. [Step S6] The element layout instructing unit 105 checks whether or not the user has instructed to change the layout of the elements in the drawing. [Step S7] The user's instruction is to change the arrangement,
When there is a color change, shape change, text input, etc., and an instruction to change any of these attribute values is given, the element layout instructing unit 105 instructs the element data changing unit 102 to change the designated attribute value. Send, element data change unit 1
02 receives the instruction to change those attributes and changes the attribute value of the corresponding element data in the element data holding unit 101. [Step S8] The change method instructing unit 112 checks whether the operation of automatic layout change is instructed to be turned on, off, or changed. [Step S9] Then, when an ON / OFF or change method of the layout automatic change operation is instructed, the ON / OFF or change method of the operation according to the instruction is set. [Step S10] The target coordinate designating unit 111 checks whether the user has designated a point on the screen. [Step S11] When a point on the screen is designated,
The target value is set according to the instruction. That is, the coordinate value of the point selected on the screen is calculated, and the coordinate value is transmitted to the equilibrium point coordinate value holding unit 110 as a target value. [Step S12] The diagram printing unit 116 checks whether the user has instructed to print the diagram. If no instruction has been given, the process returns to step S1. [Step S13] When a print instruction is given,
The figure printing unit 116 prints the figure and returns to step S1. [Step S14] It is checked whether the automatic layout change operation is set to ON. [Step S15] When the automatic layout changing operation is set to ON, the deviation calculating unit 113 calculates a moment for canceling the deviation from the current balance point and the target point. [Step S16] Next, the layout change amount calculation unit 1
14 is a user's instruction from the change method instruction unit 112,
From the calculation result of the deviation calculating unit 113, the distribution of the moment that cancels the deviation is determined, and from this determination, the change amount of the attribute value of the element is determined. [Step S17] The element data changing unit 102 changes the attribute information held by the element data holding unit 101 based on data of generation, deletion, change, and calculation result from each functional unit. [Step S18] If OFF is set in the determination in step S14, the layout is not changed, and a screen reflecting the addition, deletion, or change of the element is drawn. When it is determined in step S14 that the setting is ON, the screen is redrawn in accordance with the layout change result obtained in steps S15 to S17.

In this embodiment, for example, the following can be performed. It is assumed that the elements of the figure are arranged as shown in FIG. 7A, and that the “+” in the figure has a balance point. At this time, it is assumed that the user uses the element layout instructing unit 105 to turn on the automatic change of the layout, instruct the arrangement as a changeable element, and instruct “x” in the drawing as the target of the equilibrium point. Then, the arrangement shown in FIG. 7B can be automatically obtained.

Next, from the state of FIG. 7B, it is assumed that the user gives an instruction to maintain the equilibrium point, and gives an instruction to change the layout so as to change the color. Here, the user selects element D
Is newly generated and is placed at the position shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, it is possible to automatically obtain a layout in which the balance point is maintained by changing the color lightness value of the element A in the color scheme of the drawing.

It is also assumed that, from the state of FIG. 7B, the user has instructed to maintain the equilibrium point and instructed the area so that the layout may be changed. Then, it is assumed that the new element D is arranged as shown in FIG. Then, FIG.
As shown in (c), it is possible to automatically obtain a layout in which the area of the element A is increased and the balance point is maintained.

According to this embodiment, it is possible for the user to easily know from the position, the color, and the area of the element which of the current composition and the color arrangement the balance is on the screen. Also, by specifying a point on the screen, the system will automatically change the arrangement / shape / color scheme of the elements in the figure so that the point is the center of the balance. In addition, when the user changes the layout / shape / color scheme of a certain element, the system automatically changes the layout / shape / color scheme of the elements in the diagram so that the composition and color balance up to that point are not lost. Give me Therefore, the burden on the user for balancing the composition and the color arrangement can be significantly reduced as compared with the related art.

In the present embodiment, the element density is treated as a function of only the lightness value when calculating the weight, but other characteristics of color,
That is, the hue, saturation, and texture pattern can be added to the lightness value and used as an argument of the function. This makes it possible to perform accurate weight calculation and increase the options for automatic layout change.

Further, in this embodiment, when the automatic layout change may change the element arrangement, only one element is changed. This may be changed by changing an arbitrary number of elements. At this time, the user may be instructed on the number of pieces. In this case, the system changes the layout more in line with the user's intention.

Further, in the present embodiment, when automatic layout change may change a plurality of layout attributes such as arrangement and color, the change distribution is fixed. This distribution may be variable. In particular, if the distribution is changed according to the user's instruction, the system will change the layout more in line with the user's intention.

[0053]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, by designating a point on the screen, the system arranges / shapes / shapes the elements in the figure so that the system makes the point the center of balance. Change the color scheme automatically. According to the present invention,
When the user changes the arrangement / shape / coloring of a certain element, do not lose the balance of composition and coloration up to that point.
The system automatically changes the placement / shape / color scheme of the elements in the figure. Therefore, the present invention has an effect of significantly reducing the burden on the user for balancing the composition and the color arrangement as compared with the related art.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining calculation of coordinates of a balance point.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a layout change calculation when an element arrangement is specified as a change target.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a layout change calculation when an element color is designated as a change target.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the embodiment (No. 1).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the embodiment (No. 2).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which a target “x” of a balance point is given and the arrangement of elements is changed to match the balance point “+” with the target point, (a) before change, (b) shows Each layout after change

FIG. 8A shows a new element d in the layout of FIG. 7B.
The figure showing the arrangement of the
(C) is a balance point "+" due to the change in area
Figure showing an example of maintaining

[Explanation of symbols]

101 ... Element data holding section, 102 ... Element data changing section, 103 ... Element template holding section, 104 ... Element generation instruction section, 105 ... Element layout instruction section, 106 ... Element deletion instruction section, 107 ... Weight calculation section, 108 ... Element weight correspondence table holding unit, 109 ... Balance point coordinate value calculation unit, 110 ... Balance point coordinate value holding unit, 111 ... Target coordinate instruction unit, 11
2 ... Change method instruction unit, 113 ... Deviation calculation unit, 114 ... Layout change amount calculation unit, 115 ... Screen display unit, 116 ...
Diagram printing unit 117 ... Process control unit.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A step of obtaining a weight value for each figure element based on an area of the figure element and a density of the figure element; and a weight value and a figure element obtained by the step of obtaining the weight value for a plurality of figure elements. Determining a geometric first balance point of a plurality of graphic elements from the arranged positions, determining a target second balance point, and the first balance point and the second balance point. Determining the difference between the points, and changing at least one of the area, the density, and the position of the at least one graphic element of the plurality of graphic elements so as to cancel the calculated difference. Matching the balance point of the graphic element with the second balance point. 2. A step of obtaining a weight value for each figure element based on an interview of the figure element and a density of the figure element, and a weight value and a figure element obtained by the step of obtaining the weight value for a plurality of figure elements. Determining the geometric first balance point of the elements of the plurality of figures from the arranged positions of at least one of the area, arrangement and density of at least one figure element among the plurality of figure elements. A step of inputting a change; a step of obtaining a second balance point after the change is made for the plurality of graphic elements; a difference between the first balance point and a second balance point; And at least one of the area, the density and the position where at least one graphic element of the plurality of graphic elements is arranged so as to cancel the calculated difference. Change a drawing method characterized by comprising the step of matching the balance point of the plurality of graphic YoHata to the first balance point. 3. A graphic element data holding unit that stores a graphic element, an area of the graphic element, a density of the graphic element, and a position where the graphic element is arranged, and a graphic element data holding unit that holds the graphic element data holding unit. Weight value calculating means for obtaining a weight value for each graphic element based on the area of the graphic element and the density of the graphic element, and the weight values for the plurality of graphic elements obtained by the weight value calculating means and the positions where the graphic elements are arranged. Balance point calculation means for obtaining geometrical first balance points of a plurality of graphic elements from the above, target determination means for determining a target second balance point, the first balance point, and the second balance point. Any one of an area, a density, and a position of at least one graphic element of the plurality of graphic elements so as to cancel the difference calculated by the difference calculation means. Change one even without, drawing apparatus characterized by having a graphic element changing device that matches the balance point of the graphic element of said multiple number of said second balancing point. 4. A graphic element data holding unit that stores a graphic element, an area of the graphic element, a density of the graphic element, and a position where the graphic element is arranged, and a graphic element data holding unit that holds the graphic element data holding unit. Weight value calculating means for obtaining a weight value for each graphic element based on the area of the graphic element and the density of the graphic element, and the weight values for the plurality of graphic elements obtained by the weight value calculating means and the positions where the graphic elements are arranged. A first equilibrium point calculation means for obtaining a geometric first equilibrium point of the plurality of graphic elements from at least one of the area, arrangement and density of at least one graphic element among the plurality of graphic elements. A user changing means for inputting a change; and a second balance point calculating means for obtaining a second balance point after the user changing means makes a change to the plurality of graphic elements, Difference calculating means for calculating a difference between the first balance point and the second balance point, and area, density and arrangement of at least one graphic element of the plurality of graphic elements so as to cancel the calculated difference. A drawing element changing means for changing at least one of the positions to adjust the balance point of the plurality of graphic elements to the first balance point.